​l. to r. Erick Moore, Ken Bonner, Jim Simmons, Mike St Jacques, Dale Corey, Paul Christensen, Marc Robinson, Sean Carrigan, Patrick Moore, Will Reynolds, Nathan Poe and Doug Hall. (Photos courtesy of Anita Bonner)

​ 
On 20 November 2021, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a Flag Retirement Ceremony at Wayside Inn, Middletown, Virginia.  President Marc Robinson opened the event with narration by David Burks.  The Reverend Jim Simmons provided Chaplain duties with the Color Guard presenting the colors.  The United States Code stipulates, "When a U.S. Flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."  Flags were gathered that were determined to be no longer serviceable.  They reached their condition in a proper service of respect, tribute and in the memory of all who have served America.  A Flag Detail led by Dale Corey presented a worn flag symbolic of all those to be retired during the ceremony.   President Robinson inspected the flag and condemned is as unserviceable.  It was returned to the Flag Detail who marched to the fire and placed the flag on the flames.  All compatriots came to present arms at this point as a sign of respect for the flags service to the country.  A musket salute was fired, followed by the playing of Taps to honor the retired flags.  Forty flags were retired to be replaced by bright new flags to fly proudly as the symbol of the United States of America.  The Color Guard and Musket Squad were led by Virginia Society Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner (Fairfax Resolves Chapter and dual member of CJWII).  Members included Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Dale Corey, Doug Hall, Erick Moore, Patrick Moore, Nathan Poe, Will Reynolds, and Mike St Jacques.  Virginia Society Chapters represented included Colonel James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Colonel William Grayson and Fairfax Resolves. 
Dale Corey, Media Affairs
Colonel James Wood II Chapter

​Dale Corey playing Taps. (Photos courtesy of Anita Bonner)
 

​American Revolution on the Frontier Historic Marker Dedication October 17, 2021, located at Crockett Farm - 847 Alleghany Springs Road, Shawsville, Virginia In Honor of Local Revolutionary War Soldiers: Colonels Joseph, Walter and Hugh Crockett.
The New River Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was involved with the planning, execution and Dedication of the Virginia Historical Marker on 17 October 2021 at the Farm previously owned by the Crockett Family and the three sons of that fought in the American Revolution.

​The Fincastle Company re-enactors firing a volley to honor the Frontier Revolutionary War soldiers and the 15 SW Virginia signers of the Fincastle Resolution, one of which was Walter Crocket who was remembered at this dedication.

A new US Flag was presented to Bruton Parish Church by the Williamsburg Chapter on November 3.  The flag was given in gratitude for the past 36 years of Services of Prayer and Thanksgiving hosted and conducted by Bruton Parish Church on July 4th.  Rebecca Davy, Bruton Church organist, took the picture.  
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​Rev’d Christopher Epperson, Rector of Bruton, is pictured next to the flag.  Chapter compatriots, L to R, are Harley Stewart, Thomas Campbell, William Greaf, James Morford, and David Westenberger

​Charles Jameson, Melinda Colassard (DAR), Dale Corey, Patricia Wilczek (Regent, Montpelier Chapter DAR) and Pat Kelly (Photo courtesy of Mel Cola)

​On 13 November 2021, the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution State Color Guard provided a presentation of colors for a Daughters of the American Revolution National Defense Day.  The event was sponsored by the Culpeper Minutemen, Fauquier Court House, Montpelier and Susannah Chandler Chapters of the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution.  It was conducted at Graves Mountain Lodge, Syria, Virginia and emceed by Kathryn Campbell, Regent, Fauquier Court House.  An invocation was provided by Marilyn Ottevaere, Chaplain, Fauquier Court House.  With the presentation of the colors by the SAR, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Patricia Wilczek, Regent, Montpelier, The DAR American Creed by Carol Simpson, Regeant, Culpeper Minute Men, Preamble to the Constitution by Marty Hartmann, First Vice Regent, Susannah Chandler and the National Anthem led by Kathryn Campbell.  Recognition of Service Members, Veterans, Gold and Blue Star Families was presented by Cat Schwetke, Honorary Regent, Fauquier Court House.  The keynote speaker was Nancy Braswell, Colonel, USAF (Ret) on "Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II and their impact on the war effort.  Participating for the Virginia Society were Dale Corey, Colonel James Wood II Chapter (dual member Culpeper Minutemen); Charles Jameson, President Culpeper Minutemen Chapter (dual member Colonel James Wood II)/ Pat Kelly, Past President Virginia Society and Trustee, French Society, Thomas Jefferson Chapter (dual member Colonel James Wood II & Culpeper Minutemen) and Bill Schwetke, Trustee Virginia Society, Past President Virginia Society, Culpeper Minutemen (dual member Colonel James Wood II & Thomas Jefferson). 
Dale Corey, Media Affairs
Colonel James Wood II Chapter
Virginia SAR

​Virginia Society State Color Guard l. to r. Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey, Charles Jameson and Pat Kelly (Photo courtesy of Barbara Eickhoff)  

​Chapter President Roger Cross presented a NSSAR Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal to Master Police Officer Michael Ferriero of the James City County Police Department on November 3.  This award is given by the SAR to those who have served with distinction and devotion in the field of law enforcement and public safety.  MPO Ferriero has served as Officer in Charge of the School Resource Unit at Jamestown HS, member and stand-in commander of the Marine Patrol Unit, member of the Police Honor Guard, and on-call for both Marine Patrol and SWAT teams. 
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​Chapter President Roger Cross, left, is shown presenting the award to MPO Ferriero, right

​The Norfolk Chapter held its November meeting at the Princess Anne Country Club on Saturday, November 13, 2021. The election of officers for the 2022-2023 term was held with the following elected:
          President                Robert Bruce
          Vice President         Tim Ahlgrim
          Secretary                Patrick Hannum
          Treasurer                Mike O’Shea
          Chaplain                 Wayne Boone
          Historian                 Wayne Gustison
          Chancellor              Carter Furr
          Registrar                 Open
 
The attendees were treated to a presentation by Christopher Pieczynski on “The Skirmish at James Plantation.” The speaker, along with chapter member Patrick Hannum, co-authored an article on this subject in the October 14, 2021 edition of the Journal of the American Revolution.
 
This Revolutionary War event had gone unnoticed for almost 200 years. The journal of Captain Johann Ewald, commander of the Hessian Field-Jager Corps, detailing his service to the British since 1776, contained a map and an account of this action in Princess Anne County. But his journal was never published. It was discovered after World War II by Joseph Tustin, an Army Intelligence Officer, in occupied Germany. He translated the journal and published it in 1979. However, it remained an obscure work.
 
It took our authors and a few others to bring this to our attention. In his talk, Chris Pieczynski told how Benedict Arnold, stationed in Portsmouth in 1781, set out to destroy the Virginia Militia in the area operating under the command of Captain Amos Weeks. Although the skirmish was a Patriot defeat, Arnold could not destroy the militia and ultimately had to vacate Portsmouth.
 
 
Submitted by,
Bob Bruce
Norfolk Chapter Historian

​After the presentation Norfolk Chapter President Gary Pridgen presented Christopher Pieczynski with a Certificate of Appreciation and a book.

​A Fire Safety Commendation Medal and Certificate was presented to Captain Robert “Trey” Phaup at a ceremony at the Williamsburg Fire Station on October 21, 2021.  President Roger Cross, left, of the Williamsburg Chapter presented the National Society Medal and Certificate to “Trey,” right, accompanied by his family, father and relatives as well as the Williamsburg fire fighter/EMT’s.  Phaup has served as Captain of B-shift, responsible for keeping the shift safe while working through COVID-19 protocols and response.  He has trained recruits participating in a Hampton Roads Fire Academy class.  Phaup was also deployed for 13 days as a rescue technician to Virginia Urban Search and Rescue Team Task Force 2 to Surfside, FL to help with the rescue and recovery efforts for the condominium collapse.  Captain Phaup has demonstrated his leadership both locally and abroad in service to the community.

​The Williamsburg Chapter presented a NSSAR Flag Recognition Certificate for exemplary patriotism in proper display and care of the American Flag to James Blair Middle School on October 20. 

​Pictured (L to R) are Dr. Crystal Haskins, School Principal and George Corbett, Chapter Flag Recognition Committee chairman.  Photo by:  Karen Corbett

​The November 2021 meeting of the Dan River Chapter held at the beautiful Milton Renaissance Foundation building in Milton, NC. At this meeting, several chapter members received the Military Service Medal in recognition of their service to our country. Veterans receiving this medal and certificate were Boyd Archer, Douglas Powell, Jeff Myers, and Dwight Spangler. Compatriot Greg Eanes who was not present for the meeting will be awarded the War Service medal at the next chapter meeting.

​On October 19 Sons of the American Revolution and other patriotic organizations presented wreaths commemorating Gov. Thomas Nelson Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Virginia, and commander of the Virginia Militia at the siege of Yorktown.  The ceremony was held by the Virginia Society SAR at Gov. Nelson’s grave on the grounds of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown.  Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​Pictured, representing the Williamsburg Chapter, left to right, are Harley Stewart, Public Relations and Past President; Milton Holt, Secretary; Gary Dunaway (with chapter flag), Treasurer nominee and Color Guard member; William Greaf, Virginia Society 3rd Vice President and Past President; and Roger Cross, Chapter President.  Cross had presented the chapter’s wreath.